WAI has developed a comprehensive renewable energy resource assessment methodology that has been applied to resource studies in the United Kingdom, the European Union and Central and Eastern Europe.  The methodology is targeted primarily at the wind and biomass sectors and is backed up by a purpose designed GIS system and powerful data conversion utilities.  The result is an exploitable resource model defining the size, location and extent of the realisable renewable energy resource.  Output from these models has helped define renewable energy policies and targets at both regional and national levels in a number of successful projects.

We can provide energy resource assessments for any of the renewable sectors both at a strategic level, (country, region, county) and on an individual project basis, eg wind monitoring and energy capture assessment. We can identify viable potential projects within the overall resource based on client supplied criteria and physical, environmental and institutional constraints using state of the art geographical information systems (GIS), backed up by site visits by expert consultants.

WAI has developed a number of GIS techniques to locate individual potential wind and biomass projects within the overall resource.  Once identified, they can be screened by a number of criteria to select those most appropriate for the client.  This technique has been used to identify potential wind farm sites in several regions of the UK.  This desk top analysis can be backed up by site visits to confirm the project locations and suitability.

Our initial feasibility reports are designed to provide low cost screening of potential projects, addressing critical factors for continued development, ie the energy resource, operational requirements, planning issues, access, aviation and environmental impacts, project economics, socio-economic issues and community impacts.

WAI has a long track record in undertaking feasibility studies on a wide range of renewable energy technologies at both the project management and contractor level.  WAI’s knowledge of the technical issues surrounding renewable energy powerplant design and development coupled with thorough understanding of current and potential future costs, revenues and subsidy mechanisms, allows us to provide clients with the key information needed for robust project development decisions. 

We also undertake more detailed Feasibility Studies and Project Design in the wind and biomass sectors including, turbine layout and site design, technology assessment and selection, biomass fuel studies, detailed capital and operating cost assessment including secondary issues such as fuel transport, grid connection and waste/effluent disposal costs, etc. We have developed detailed economic models for the various renewable energy technologies, including CHP based on discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis to calculate internal rates of return (IRR), payback period and debt coverage ratios (DCR).